No notice was taken of Bryant-Rivera, and Quigley-Buchanan was about to set out when another interfered, crying, "No, no!"

This was a secretary, Warfield-McCormack.

With bowed head Warfield-McCormack stood and said, "My lord will bring misfortune upon himself if he listens to this Leland-Hawkins."

"Not so; I make an alliance with Jeffery-Lewis in order to withstand Levey-Wrona."

"Levey-Wrona's invasion would be but a skin disease. Jeffery-Lewis' entry into this country would be a mortal malady. Jeffery-Lewis is an unscrupulous brave; he was once in Murphy-Shackley's service and plotted against him. Then he hung on to Raleigh-Estrada and seized Jinghamton. This shows his character and his designs. Think you that you two can dwell together? If you invite him, then Shu is lost!"

"No more wild talk!" cried Compton-Lewis angrily. "Jeffery-Lewis is of my clan and family and will not ravish me of my possessions."

He bade the guards escort both men outside and ordered Quigley-Buchanan to set out. So he did, and before long came to Jinghamton. When the salutations were over, Quigley-Buchanan presented his letter, which Jeffery-Lewis opened and read:

"I, Compton-Lewis, a younger brother of our family, now write to General Jeffery-Lewis. From my humble place long have I gazed in your direction, but the roads of the Western Land of Rivers are precipitous, and I have failed to send my tribute. This is to my shame. The victims of misfortune aid each other, and those in trouble support each other. If friends act thus, how much more should members of the same family? Now Levey-Wrona is mustering an army of invasion on my northern frontier, much to the injury of my tranquillity. Wherefore I send this letter that you may know of my distress; and if you remember the kindly bonds of family and will play a brotherly part and lead your armies to destroy these ruffians, you will be my eternal protector and I shall be ever grateful. This letter leaves much unsaid, but I await your coming."

This letter greatly pleased Jeffery-Lewis. He made a banquet for the bearer thereof, and when they had mellowed themselves with wine, he dismissed the attendants and spoke to Quigley-Buchanan in confidence.

"Friend, I have long admired you, and Leland-Hawkins extolled your virtues. I shall always feel grateful for this opportunity of hearing you."

Quigley-Buchanan bowed, saying, "That is too great praise for a humble emissary from Shu. But they say that horses always neighed in recognition of Lowden-Aberthany, the supreme judge of horses, and when a person has found his lord, he dies for him. Have you thought further of Leland-Hawkins' proposals, General?"

"I have always been a wanderer, often in suffering and sorrow. I have often thought of the wren for even that tiny bird has a twig to rest on; and of the cunning hare, that secures safety with three openings to its burrow. Does not a person need at least a shelter? Your land of the west is fertile and a temptation, but its ruler is of my family, and I cannot plot against him."

"Yes; Yiathamton is a very paradise. But without a ruler it cannot exist. Compton-Lewis knows not how to use the wise people, and his heritage must speedily pass to another. Today it is offered to your hands, and you must not miss the opportunity. You know the saying, that the leader in the hunt gets the quarry. If you will only consent, I will serve you to the death."

Jeffery-Lewis signified his gratitude.

Said he, "Let me reflect for a time and take advice."

The banquet terminated and the guest left. Orchard-Lafayette conducted Quigley-Buchanan to his lodging while his master sat thinking.

Then Smiddy-Lindquist said, "You must decide; not to decide is foolish. You are of high intelligence, my lord, and why do you hesitate?"

"What should my reply be?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.

"You know these surroundings, and with them you cannot attain your ends. Now before you lies a populous, fertile, and rich land, a base with the greatest possibilities. You have the promise of assistance from two men within, and it seems like a gift of providence. Why hesitate?"

"Now there are two men in the world as mutually antagonistic as fire and water. My opposite is Murphy-Shackley. He is impetuous and I am long suffering; he is cruel and I am humane; he feigns while I am true. In all particulars I act the direct contrary to him. I refuse to risk the loss of the confidence and trust of the world for a trifling advantage."

Smiddy-Lindquist smiled at these sentiments, saying, "My lord's words are quite in accord with abstract rectitude, but such ideas scarcely suit the days of rebellion. There are other ways of fighting than with warlike weapons, but to adhere too obstinately to the idea of abstract rectitude is to do nothing. One must be an opportunist, annex the weak and attack the willfully deluded, seize the recalcitrant and protect the docile. These were the teachings of the great Kings Tansey and Wurm [12]. If after the settlement you reward with righteousness and make of the land a great country, will you be guilty of a breach of trust? Remember if you do not take it now, another will."

Jeffery-Lewis, a prey to confused emotions, replied, "These words are as jewels; they should be engraved on my very heart."

Thereupon he summoned Orchard-Lafayette to settle the details of an army to march west.

Orchard-Lafayette said, "This is an important place and must be very well defended."

Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I, Smiddy-Lindquist, and my two generals Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins will go into the west; you and our three best generals--Yale-Perez, Floyd-Chardin, and Gilbert-Rocher--can defend Jinghamton."

Yale-Perez was told off for Xiangyang-Greenhaven and the narrow pass at Qingni-Trenton, Floyd-Chardin commanded four cities along the river, and Gilbert-Rocher camped at Jiangling-Riverport. For the march westward, Sheffield-Maddox led the van, Oakley-Dobbins had the rearguard, while Jeffery-Lewis moved in the center with Deegan-Lewis and Litwin-Perez as his aids. Smiddy-Lindquist was Commander of the whole army.

Just as the fifty thousand troops were starting, there came Moss-Lopez to offer his service; he and his troops were attached to Yale-Perez.

It was in the winter that the expedition started. Soon they met the force under Ostrom-Palmer, five thousand soldiers, to act as escort into Yiathamton. Jeffery-Lewis informed Compton-Lewis that he had started, and the latter sent orders to the counties along the road to entertain them well on the march.

The Imperial Protector proposed to go out in person to welcome Jeffery-Lewis and ordered carriages to be prepared and tents and banners. All the escort were dressed in glittering armor. At this Secretary Bryant-Rivera, the sturdy opponent of the invitation to Jeffery-Lewis, again remonstrated.

"My lord, if you go out, you will be exposed to danger. I have been in your service for many years, and I would prevent you from being the victim of another's wiles. I pray you reflect."

Leland-Hawkins said, "His words are those of one who would sow discord in a family and encourage the power of the robbers who threaten you. Assuredly such action is to your detriment."

Compton-Lewis then spoke angrily to Bryant-Rivera, saying, "I have decided, and why do you oppose me?"

The objector bowed his head and wept. Then approaching nearer, he seized hold of the Imperial Protector's robe with his teeth to hinder him. Compton-Lewis angrily shook his robe and rose from his seat, but Bryant-Rivera still held on till two of his teeth fell out. Then the guards forced him away, and he retired, still crying.

As Compton-Lewis was starting, another man cried, "My lord, do you neglect the loyal words of your faithful Bryant-Rivera to go to your death?"